“Unbelievable! Al-Shabaab Launches Intense Mortar Attack on Town Just Liberated in Somalia”

In an entanglement of bewildering events, Al-Shabaab recently launched a mortifying attack on Harardhere, a Somalia town that was recently liberated after a decade of being under militants’ control. The disruptive incident took the form of mortar shells fired at the town, causing immense terror and panic among the civilians. Although no casualties were reported, the federal government officials did not comment on the potential harms caused by the mortars.

Security experts elucidate that whenever the group targets the military, it uses the Improvised Explosive Devices [IEDs] or mortar shells. The recent attack comes barely a week after security forces killed over 60 Al-Shabaab militants within the area, an action that should have reassured civilians.

In early 2021, Harardhere was taken over by the government forces with the help of international partners, including US Africa Command, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], and local militia, after withstanding fierce battles over almost a week. Notably, before the takeover, Harardhere was overrun by pirates and later claimed by Al-Shabaab, who first stood up against the government in 2007 before swearing allegiance to al-Qaeda.

Despite the prevailing uncertainty, Somalia has initiated the second phase of operations to deal with the Al-Shabaab extortionists. For support, non-ATMIS troops from Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia have been requested to serve in the country for three months under the command of the Somali National Army, as announced by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.